Abiding in the Vine – Janis Van Keuren

     The sweet flavor of fresh-squeezed orange juice is still flowing at our home. Youngest harvests the fruit while oldest presses the orange pulp against the white-coned juicer yielding the life juice we crave. The flavor far exceeds anything in a carton or can from a market shelf.
     However, it will last only for this season. So we treasure it like rare wine matured for years in oak barrels. We sip, rather than gulp, this orange gold, savoring every drop. I can only imagine how a farmer feels when his time arrives to harvest the crop he has planted, nurtured, and cared for.
   We are the prized fruit that the Lord has planted, nurtured, and cared for. We, too, will yield an abundant crop if we remain attached to Him. And His word is more precious than gold.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” John 15:5 & 16a NIV

Does your fruit taste like a fresh-squeezed or like an imitation from the market shelf?

From My Heart to Yours,

Joining other reflections at Spiritual Sundays

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Comments

Abiding in the Vine — 8 Comments

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for the Sandwich Generation on January 29, 2011 at 10:14 pm said:

Thank you – I love these encouraging Bible verses that always remind me to abide, cleave, and surrender. Have a blessed Spiritual Sunday.
Crystal Mary on January 30, 2011 at 12:50 am said:

Hello Janis, I read a childs story of this to my little grandson. The gardener comes and tells the vine He is going to cut it off and take and graft it to a better tree in another valley. The vine it scared but when he is grafted he is so much happier and the new area he has gone to live in is much better…It was a wonderful illustration and I pray the story gets throught to my daughter-in-law.She is a lovely girl yet confused between the Christian faith and her side of the family. Her brother for one is proud of being a homosexual.
Blessings to you.
S. Etole on January 30, 2011 at 1:15 pm said:

The lighting stole my attention before I could get to your words … both are beautiful.
Donnie on January 30, 2011 at 1:41 pm said:

That was such a sweet post. Have a blessed Sunday.
Joan on January 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm said:

One of my favorite passages of Scripture. I love the question you posed at the end…great food for thought.

Blessings,
Joan
ailinh harris on January 30, 2011 at 3:37 pm said:

I love the picture and this post. It adds a little more happiness to my day.
Cathy on January 30, 2011 at 11:24 pm said:

A wonderful post, Dear, thank you. Blessings ~
Charlotte on February 2, 2011 at 10:15 am said:

Wonderful comparison. I agree with you. I loved fresh squeezed orange juice but can barely tolerate any other kind. I had never thought about the comparison of oranges and grapes. Thank you for this thought provoking post.
Blessings,
Charlotte